X-ray dosimeter



Feb. 5, 1935. J. M. DU MoND Er AL 1,990,022

x-AY DosIMETER Filed April 21, 1951 2 sheets-sheet 1 Kw4/enfers Jesse MM a/Vond @rc er Hoy Patented Feb. 5, 1935 g, *UNITED STATES Jesse W. M.

Application Apro 21,1931, serial No. 531,720 7 claims. `(cl. 25o-34)' lThis invention relates to a mechanism vand process for measuring the intensity of X-rays emanating from any suitable source by a photometric method; that is, comparing the uorescent light intensity excited by X-rays from any source with the intensity of a predetermined standard of illumination. v

In the therapeutic treatment of the body by subjecting certain portions thereof to Vbeneficial rays such as X-rays or ultra violet rays, it is highly desirable for the good of the patient, to know the strength of the rays applied to the portions to be treated. So far as we know, there are.

no wholly satisfactory methods or apparatus at the present time for determiningthe strength of X-rays or ,ultra violet rays emanating from a source.

In order to provide a suitable basis of compari-k son, `the X-rays to be measured, which of course are invisible, are caused to produce luminescence, as by theaid of a fluorescent screen. The degree of luminescence thus produced is directly dependent upon'the X-ray intensity', and a measure y of this degree, as by comparison with a standard of illumination will permit a measurement of X- ray intensity. The constant or standard luminosity may come from a primary light source orA from another'fluorescent screen of the' same material as the screen stimulated by the X-rays, and

' excited by the radiation from a constant radioactive body. This source of standard illumination thus has the advantage that it produces the same color of light asthose produced as a result y L of X-ray stimulation, and therefore the comparison oftheir intensitiesis much more accurate than it otherwise would be.r Preferably, the two illuminations thus obtained are then so controlled that their intensities are equal.v The required quantity of control'to eifect this is a measure'of the X-ray intensity either directly `or evaluated by the aid of calibration curves or tables."`

' It is therefore an object of our invention to provide a device of the character generally described hereinabove for measuring the strength of X- rays emanating from any source.

Itis a further object of this invention to pro-- vide a device which can be readily adjusted or positioned to receive the vX-rays emanating from,v

any source and direct their fluorescent effects on a suitable focal plane. ,l

- It is a-further object of this invention to provide a device simple in design and construction, and relatively inexpensive tovmanufacture.

One way in which thecomparison of illumina-` tion thus obtained is effected, includes a stationary compensating optical wedge anda juxtaposed relatively'movable measuring optical wedge, interposed in the .path of the fluorescent light excited by the-X-raysof unknown strength. By simply moving th'e measuring wedge lin a directionr coin- 5 evident with its lengthgthe'brilliancy of the fluorescent light excited by the unknown strength of X-rays 'is' decreased until it is of the same brilliancyjas the 'rays from' a standard source. n yThe optical wedges utilized'in our invention' are well-known'in the art. They each comprise in general a transparent and opaque end with intermediate continuous and uniform gradations Vin density or opacity between the transparent end and theopaque end. These wedges are arranged in our apparatuswith the'graduated density of oney wedge grading in an opposte direction to the graduated density of the other. In this manner the degree of translucency in any one position of the juxtaposed wedges is always uniform overthe entire field forv any particularsetting. of the wedges., The optical wedge may also have its gradation of 'density' disposed about the cirlcumierence of va circular disc to save space and f'orgreater convenience. y 5

It is therefore'anotherobject of our invention to provide ajconvenient yand compactlyarranged controlling optical wedge system forfthis purpose. Y Other meanscan be used if desired in place of optical wedges'for adjustingV or controlling the intensity of the' fluorescent` light excited by X'e-rays." `1 Y rOur invention possesses many other `vadvantages, and hasother objectswhich `maybe made more' easily apparent from a consideration of sev- 35 eral' embodiments of'ouriY invention. For this purpose we have "showna few forms in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the pres. ent specification.v We shall now proceed to describetheseiformsfin detail, 'which illustrate the general principles'of .our invention; but it is to bev understood that this detailed description is not to be talen inA a limiting sense, since the scope of our'l invention is best dened by the appended clairns.f.v ,y

'Referring to the drawings: y

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional View through an X-ray dosimeter embodying our invention;

` Fig. 2 is a fragmentary elevation of the device shown in Fig. 1, showing the arrangement and mode of operation of the optical measuring wedge in a slide; l

' Fig. 3,is an elevational view with part in section of the slide, showing the arrangement of the short compensating optical wedge therein;

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 1, of a modified form of the dosimeter; and

Fig. 5 is a similar view of a still further modication.

The X-ray dosimeter of the form shown in Fig. 1, comprises a common focal plane, where the images of two sources of illumination are produced. One source of illumination is: a fluorescent screen 47 excited by the X-rays to be measured, and the other source is a standard'fwith which the said illumination of screen 47 is to be compared. In this instance, the standard illumination is produced by exciting a Iiuorescentscreen 30 by a constant source of exciting rays, as from the material 28 of radioactive properties.

The comparison of the two light intensitiesisf made by the aid of a pair of prisms and'll of triangular cross-section, cemented togetherv with their correspondingly longest faces in opposed abutting relationship. These prisms are main-` tained in this position by means of a closely encasing housing 12 formed about the periphery thereof in any desirable manner.

The housing 12 is so formed about the prisms, that rays from sources of illumination can be transmitted through' the prisms along any one or all of several directions. This can be' readily accomplished by providing openings 13, 14, and 15 in two of' the sides and the top or bottom of the housing 12. As shown in Fig. 1, the opening 15 is formed in the top. Internally threaded co1- larsl 16 and 17 can be formedinteg'ral with the housing 12 and extend outwardly'from one side and top thereof` adjacent the openings' 13 and" 15 respectively.

As'described hereinafter, the t'wo openings 14,V l5 serve 'respectively'to pass light from screens'x47, 30 to prisms 10, 11, where their relative intensities are compared by viewing. the prisms'thr'ough opening 13.

For thisl purpose an eyepiece. lens or' sighting lens 19 is insertedin a collar 16, and firmly held adjacent the opening 13 by one end of' atubular' metallic sighting sleeve 18, and a shoulder 20. This sleeve can be screw-threaded into the' collar 16 until the end thereof' 'contacts with the' outer edgeA ofthe lens' 19 and brings it againstthe shoulder 20, thus' pinching the lens between the end of the sleeve and the shoulder. The shoulder 2'0 is formed'integral witlilthe'housing 12. An eyepiece cup 21 can be fastened to the sleeve 18 at its otherl end" so' that an observer' can readily view the prisms 10 and 11 throughthe' lens 19. This cup is important' because' it' e'xcludes all extraneous light which may interfere' with the act' of' comparing the light' intensities.' An additional sightinglens 22'can.beprovided," and can be positioned ini-the' sleeve 18 to provide'-Y the desired optical eyepiece. A `slight'improvement not shown in the drawings' is' to mount' the'4 eyepiece lenses in an auxiliary sliding tube which' can then be adjusted in position to accommodate the eyes of the particularobserver.

The illumination from screen 30 is' reflected 'inA a manner to be hereinafter described, at the' common face of the prisms 10 and 11, and the illumination from screen 47' passed through both prisms 10, 11 and into the eyepiece tube 18.

Thus a tube 23is fastened into collarl 17.I This tube carries the screen 30 by the aidof a frame 31; and it also carries thematerial 28 which e'xcites the fluorescent screen 30. This material is a radio-active salt or the like, andis heldin' a casing 29 fastened to cap 27. A lead sheath 27 can be used to prevent X-rays from the source under investigation, from affecting the screen 30. C'ap 27 is attached to the top of tube 23, which also carries a lens 24 to focus the image of the screen 30 onto a silvered spot 32. This silvered spot is a chemically deposited reiiecting nlm on the face of the prism 10, and its plane is such that it reflects the image axially of tube 18 toward the eyepiece structure.

The mirrored surface 32 consists of a small elliptical reflecting spot between the two prisms 10 and 11, the reflecting surface being directed toward eyepiece cup 21. Thus an observer sighting-through the eyepiece 21 and lenses 22 and 19, will-viewithe reection of the "image of the screen 30 illuminated by the action of radium rays of standardintensityV emanating from the material 28 and'directed against the mirror by the lens 24. Due to the. mirror angle, the elliptic mirror is seen as a circle by the eye.

Ih'e'illumination caused by the action of the X-rays on screen 47 is compared with the illumination of 'mirror 32. To accomplish this result, the'illumination' of screen 47 'is' cut down until it is the sameas that'of mirror 32, and the quantity of'control necessary to obtain this balance can be used, in conjunction with calibration curves, to determine the intensity of the X-ray source.

Thus a slide 33 having a cut-out portion 34 in the back thereof (Fig. 3) is securedvto the housing 12 'adjacent theopening 14 in any desirable manner'. As is clearly shown' in Fig. 3, the walls 34 defining the cut-outportion closely embrace andare attached' to a portion of the sides ofthe housing 12 and thus hold the' slide 33 to the housing.' A circular' opening 35 is formed in the front of' the' slide 33, and'is'aligned with the opening 14'to permit' the passage of light of unknown intensity therethrough from any source, onto theIba'ck-of'theplrism 11. A' transverse guide is formed by the slide 33 ofia'width which permits the free transverse' movement of an' optical measuring wedge- 36 vin front of the opening 14'. The slide-33 is formed witha recess 37 therein of' a width substantially twicel the thicknessof` the measuring wedge 36. Prior to the insertion of' the measuring 'wedge throughrthe slots in the end walls ofthe slide, `a short compensating optical wedge 38 is inserted in the recess 37. The compensating wedge 38 is heldagainst the back of the slide 33 `in contact with the walls of the housingl2s`urroun hngl the opening 14 as by a resilient springBSbe'aring against one end of thev wedge andthe end wall of the slide. The measuringY wed'gedis now inserted inthe slots and in use is in sliding .contact with the compensating Wedge 38 (Figs. 1 and 3).

As is well-known in the art,fan' optical wedge' consists of amember having a uniformly graduateddensity or opacity from one end to the other. The compensatingvwedge 38 is 4inserted inthe slide 33withthe graduated density grading in-anopposite direction` to the measuring Wedge 36'. In ,thismannen the translucency through anyl portion of the. juxtaposed wedges-is always constant for any settingof thewedge 36. The measuring wedge'.v 36 may be divided into a scalecomprisinga plurality of uniformly spaced markings. 39 for directly indicating the relative reduction in intensity of the iiuorescent light (caused by the X-rays) on account of the opticalwedge being in that particular position; The markings 39' may be numberedv inany arbitrary'manner, and the position of' the' wedge 36 can be noted by such markings' against' any stationary part of 'theapparatua as forinstancefiorie offtheedges calibration curves or tables can be `obviated.

Either formed integral with the front face of the slide 33 or secured thereto, is an internally threaded collar 40 extending out from the slide and .surrounding the opening 35. A tube 41 threaded at one end, is attached to the collar 40 and is adapted to provide 'a pivotal support for a swiveled tube 42. .Asv shown in Fig; 1, the inner end is in opposed abutting relation to the end of the collar 40, while the other end defines an openingthe axis of which is at a 90 angle to the axis of the inner end. 'I'his is accomplished as by an elbow 43 formed integral with the tube 42 for secured thereto in any desired mannenThe-top of the elbow 43 is nat and is positioned-fat an angle of to the axes of the endopenings.' A totally reilecting prism 44 is positioned in the elbow 43 with its long face in contactwiththe inner surface of the iiat top of the elbow. vA di'- rective lens 45 is securedrto one side of the prism 44 in any desirableway, as by cement.

A tube 46 made of thin micarta or other material that can pass X-rays, is secured to the elbow 43 in any desirable manner, with its axis coincident with the axis of the opening 43. A fluorescent screen 47 is secured adjacent to the free end of the tube 46. This tube is rendered water tight as by a thin bakelite plate 48 closing by the free end thereof. Since the tube can pass the X-rays, any scattered rays from any direction which may pass obliquely to the screen 47 also assist in illuminating the screen, as the fluorescence is quite independent of the direction of the incident X-rays. v

Due to the provision of the swivel joint lformed by tubes 41, 42, the tube 46 can be adjusted in any angular position, to explore a region. Since tube 46 is water tight, the exploration can even be conducted below a liquid level, as in a water bath.

The operation of this device is now readily apparent from the foregoing. The combined structure consisting of the tubes 42 and 46 and the elbow 43 is turned until the uorescent screen 47 is in the path of X-rays of unknown intensity issuing from any source. These X-rays illuminate screen 47, the light from which strikes the prism 44 and is directed thereby at an angle of 90 to their original direction through the directive lens 45. This lens directs the image through the juxtaposed wedges 36 and 38 and onto the prisms 10 and 11 and the back of the mirror 32. A common focal plane is formed at the center of this combined structure, including the prisms 10 and 11 and mirror 32.

An observer sighting through the eyepiece 21 will 4s ee a small disk surrounded by a brighter ring or annulus. This is due to the opacity of the mirror 32', and to the greater intensity of the uorescent rays excited by the X-ray source, than that of those excited by the^ standard source. The observer, by then moving the vmeasuring wedge 36 in the slide 33 until the intensity of the iluorescent rays caused by the X-ray source is diminished to the same intensity as those caused by the standard source; and then readingl the scale thereon, will be able to determine the comparative intensity of the fluorescent rays caused by the X-ray source. AThis comparative intensity can be transferred into any desired units by means or calibration curves furnished with each instrument. For instance, r-units per sec. are

`used in clincalp'ractice. Having obtained a balance by shifting the optical wedgef'one rrefers to the calibration curves which'relate the scale reading on the optical lwedge to the intensity of jthe` X-ray beam in r-units per second for the particular setof filters and X-ray tube voltage in use on ythe X-radiationatthat time. The. ob server cantellwhen the intensity of the iluo- -rescent light from the X-ray sourcehas been diminished to the same intensity as the rays from the standard source, by the'elimination of the bright ring or annulus about the center spot. The observer now views a disk having a diameter equal tothe outerr diameter of the ring and havling'a uniform brightness throughout.

the intensity of illumination of the vfield around the mirror from a screen 47.

Accordingly when rwedge 36 is out, the center ofthe field of kvision represented by` mirror 32 is usually much darker than the surrounding annulus.` In case the X-,ray intensity is so great that the wedge will not cut down the iluorescence caused thereby sufliciently to effect a balance of the two fields of intensity, one A,simply moves the dosimeter farther-*away from the'X-ray source and applies the inverse square law to get the intensity at the nearer point.

It is possible to utilize other means for cutting down the intensity of illumination of the screen 47; or for viewing the illumination caused by a standard source.

Thus in Fig. 4, the arrangement is such that a screen 49 excited by standard source 50 is viewed directly instead of by reflection. To this end, the casing 51 of the screen 49 and source 50 can be suspended as by fine wires or a transparent plate 52 inside of a tube 53 that forms an extension of eyepiece tube 18, and that can also conveniently serve to form a carrier for the Wedges 36, 38.

In this instance the image of screen 47 is caused to occupy a plane 53' coincident withthat of screen 49, whereby the relative intensities thereof can be compared as readily as in the rst form, as the rays of light passing through wedges 36, 33 from screen 47 are unobstructed except for the area occupied by the screen 49.

In Fig. 5, an iris diaphragm arrangement 54 is provided in place of wedges 36, 38 to vary the degree of illumination reaching prisms 10 and 11 l This iris can be of the usual from screen 47. aperture varying type, such as are in common use in optcal aparatus. The rotatable barrel of the mechanism can carry a scale 55 cooperating with a stationary pointer 56. There is provided an opalescent screen 57 upon which the light through iris mechanism 54 is focused, and the image of this screen in turn is focused as by lens 58 onto the focal plane at the center of the optical structure 10--11-32.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for determining the intensity of a source of X-ray emanations, comprising a source of illumination of standard intensity, a uorescent screen forming a, source of visible light rays when stimulated by the X-ray radiations, means for forming images on a common focal plane, of the source of standard intensity,

and of the source of the visible rays caused by the X-rays, and means for varying the apparent iny tensity of the light caused by the Xrays on the common plane.

2.-The combination set forth in claim 1 in Which the means for forming images on a common focal plane comprises a structure including a pair of prisms and a reflecting spot of any shape between the prisms, the reectng face of the spot being so placed that the intensity of one of the sources of illumination can be observed simultaneously with the intensity of the other source of illumination.

3. The combination set forth in claim 1 in which the means for Varying the apparent intensity of the iiuorescent rays excited by the X-rays on the common plane comprises a pair of juxtaposed relatively movable optical wedges, having the graduated opacity of one grading in an opposite direction to the graduated opacity of the other.

4. The combination set forth in claim 1, in which the means to form the images and to diminish .the apparent intensity of the fluorescence caused by the X-ray beam being Ineas@ ured comprises a lens, an opalescent screen, and a diaphragm, said lens focusing the light from the fluorescent screen exposed to the X-ray beam o n the opalescent screen which is then viewed comparatively with the illumination from some standard source.

5. An apparatus for determining the intensit of a. source of X=ray emanat'ions, comprising a means for forming a common focal plane, a source of fluorescent light of standard intensity focused gnthecommon plane, a second source of fluorescent rays, means forpicking up fluorescent rays from said second source stimulated by the X-ray emanationsl to be. measured, and focusing the fluorescent rays on the common plane, means for viewing the eifect of the ray intensities from both sources on the common plane, and means for varying the apparent intensity of fluorescence exctedby the Xzrays on the common plane.

6. An `apparatus for determining the intensity of a source of X-ray emanations, comprising a pair o f fluorescent screens made from similar material, a, standard means for exciiting one screen, a source of Xfradiations for exciting the other screen, means for forming the images of the screens on a common plane, and means for varying the apparent intensity of fluorescence excited by the Xfrays on the common plane.

'7. Apparatus for determining the intensity of Xrray radiation, comprising a fluorescent screen .adapted 4to be stimulated by the X-rays, means providing a standard intensity of illumination, and means for comparing the two sources of illumination, comprising a swivel support for the screen whereby its position in space can be adjusted.

JESSE W. M. DU MOND. ARCHER HOYT. 

